Catering for different dietary requirements this festive season
Let’s face it, the pressures of cooking a delicious Thanksgiving or festive meal can be overwhelming.
Throw into the mix different dietary requirements around the table and you might be wondering where on earth to start.
Fear not – we’re here to share our top tips for how to cater for everyone and put on a meal for all to remember.
F
inding twists on traditional treats may seem like a challenge, but it’s actually an opportunity to try tasty new recipes and introduce the wider family to different foods.
Catering for plant-based diets
Starters
Pigs in blankets are often a crowd favourite but we can easily make plant versions of these too. Try wrapping lentil sausages in aubergine or courgette ribbons. Soups are an easy way to cater for the masses and for all preferences, plus they can be prepared in advance and reheated when needed.
Main/Sides
· Turkey might usually take the centre piece, but why not try a delicious nut loaf or vegetable wellington?
· Vegetables don’t have to be boring, we can jazz them up by varying the cooking method and the wonderful herbs and spices used to make the flavours flourish. Spruce up your carrots with a balsamic glaze, or give your Brussel sprouts some zest with a lemon dressing.
· Vegan Yorkshire puddings? Not a problem, just use soya milk instead of dairy milk.
· Make a tasty vegan gravy using vegetable stock and a splash of red wine.
Desserts
Finally, don’t forget the sweet treats – with a few simple swaps we can make some tasty desserts without eggs or dairy. Try a rice pudding using almond milk or a cake using avocado instead of butter. Apple sauce makes for a great egg substitute too.
Top tip: Are there any elements that you can prepare in advance? Delegate tasks or even better, get the guests to each bring a different dish to contribute to the party and make it a buffet style meal
Foods you might be surprised to know aren’t vegan:
- Chocolate
- Beer
- Wine
- Worcestershire sauce
- Veggie mock meats (some contain eggs or dairy so check for vegan versions, not just vegetarian)
- Honey
- Bread (may contain milk, eggs or butter)
- Some sweets/ candy
How about allergens?
Ask your guests ahead of the day if they have any allergens. Knowing that you are keeping your guests safe will offer peace of mind and they will be appreciative of you asking. If you are catering for individuals with allergens, don’t be afraid to ask what they would like and be careful to check the ingredient/ allergen listing of all ingredients that you use in the food that they will be eating – you might be surprised at some of the allergens in foods that we wouldn’t expect, and you can never be too careful.
If you’re still unsure, then get planning! The more prepared you are, the easier it will be on the day. Make a list of the different dishes and a set of instructions with timings that you can follow to keep on track. Get creative and perhaps trial different recipes beforehand so that you can get it just right on the day. You never know, you might enjoy some of these plant-based twists of traditional classics more than you think!
There are lots of ways to eradicate the stress of cooking a meal without having to miss out on the fun and delicious tastes this festive period. Give some of our tips a go and happy cooking! Check out some of our recipes for ideas of dishes and sides that could feature on your table.
